RAC records biggest fuel increase in over a year

April figures from RAC’s Fuel Watch have revealed that the average price of a litre of unleaded went up by 2.74p in April to 123.20p - the greatest increase in well over a year, and the highest average price since November 2014.

Diesel went up by an average of 2.94p a litre to 126.02p – meaning that it now costs more than at any time since December 2014.

Regionally, Northern Ireland suffered the steepest increase in petrol prices last month with a 3.47p rise, taking average prices to 122.94p a litre, while Yorkshire and the Humber had the cheapest average petrol prices at the end of April, at 122.48p a litre. Motorists in Scotland saw the biggest rise in diesel prices, by 3.16p to 126.06p.

The South East remains the most expensive part of the UK for both diesel and unleaded petrol, while Motorists in Scotland saw the biggest rise in diesel prices, by 3.16p to 126.06p.

RAC fuel spokesman Simon Williams said: “The cost of filling up an average family-sized 55-litre car with petrol is now nearly £68, which is £4.50 more expensive than it was last July,” he noted.

“For diesel car drivers it’s even worse with a tank costing over £69, which is £5.50 more.”

Williams warned that uncertainty over global oil supplies could yet drive fuel prices higher.